SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY is taken to confirm Cheltenham Festival superiority over Sortudo despite having to give him 3 lb on this occasion. Leopardstown Christmas meeting scorer Kovanis is also much respected in a strong concluding bumper.
Shuttle Diplomacy
Sortudo
Kovanis
2m INHF
Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places
2. Shuttle Diplomacy
J: Mr Finian MaguireT: Thomas Cooper, Ireland
F: 11-93
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
122
Days Since Last Run:
40
Verdict
Lightly-raced winner in bumpers. Excellent 3 lengths third of 17 to Bambino Fever in Champion Bumper at Cheltenham (16.4f, good to soft, 66/1) 40 days ago. Leading claims.
5. Sortudo
J: Mr P. W. MullinsT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
F: 1227
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
123
Days Since Last Run:
40
Verdict
Lightly-raced winner in bumpers. Good 6¾ lengths seventh of 17 to Bambino Fever in Champion Bumper (33/1) at Cheltenham (16.4f, good to soft) 40 days ago. Should continue to give a good account.
4. Kovanis
J: Mr J. H. WilliamsonT: Gordon Elliott, Ireland
F: 1
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
118
Days Since Last Run:
114
Verdict
Bought for £330,000 after winning a point. Evens, won 5-runner bumper at Leopardstown (16.2f, good) on NH debut 114 days ago, holding on gamely. Good prospect.
1. Ill Sort That
J: Mr D. L. QueallyT: Declan Queally, Ireland
F: 711
Price History:
6.00
Age:
5
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
57
Verdict
Thrice-raced winner under NH rules. C&D winner. 2 wins from 3 runs this season. Won 4-runner bumper (9/4) at Naas (15.5f, heavy) 57 days ago.
3. Camberwell
J: Mr F. R. BuckleyT: John McConnell, Ireland
F: 1
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
110
Days Since Last Run:
141
Verdict
Unplaced in point but won 8-runner bumper (8/1) at Carlisle (17f, soft) on NH debut 141 days ago, well on top finish.
8. The Night Agent
J: Mr R. W. BarronT: D. E. Fitzgerald, Ireland
F: 4-823
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-7
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
53
Verdict
Lightly-raced maiden under NH rules. 4/1, third of 17 in novice hurdle at Clonmel (18.9f, heavy) on hurdles bow 53 days ago. Switches from hurdles to bumpers.
6. Jackmoon
J: Miss A. B. O'ConnorT: J. P. Flavin, Ireland
F: 333-4
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-7
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
353
Verdict
Lightly-raced maiden. Good fourth of 19 in bumper (40/1) at Punchestown (18.8f, heavy), running on. Off 11 months.
7. Tamberian
J: Mr I. RyanT: Conor David Maxwell, Ireland
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-7
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
-
Verdict
Shantou gelding. Half-brother to useful hurdler/chaser El Rio and fair hurdler/chaser Cracker Jak.
9. Question Piege
J: T. P. HarneyT: Mrs Lorna Fowler, Ireland
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
-
Verdict
Beaumec De Houelle mare. Closely related to a winner on Flat and half-sister to useful French hurdler Out of Risk. Will need to be smart to take this on debut.